Cedric Benson to Plead Innocent

Cedric Benson's attorney said on Tuesday that the Texas running back will plead innocent to misdemeanor drug and alcohol charges. Benson and a female acquaintance were arrested at an apartment on Saturday in Benson's hometown of Midland after police responded to a call about loud music. Police said they found small amounts of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and alcohol during a search.

Austin lawyer John Carsey says that the apartment is not Benson's, and he had no knowledge that the drugs and drug paraphernalia were in the apartment. He says that several people had been to the apartment the night of the arrest, but Benson had been there only about 30 minutes before his arrest.

The 19 year-old athlete and 20 year-old Melissa Robinson are both charged with possession of less than two ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and being minors in possession of alcohol. The drug charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine. The other charges are misdemeanors punishable by fines of up to $500.